Crawl Space Encapsulation in Coles Point, VA
Challenge
A homeowner in Coles Point, VA, contacted us with concerns about the crawl space of their 1920s home. They were interested in encapsulating the space and improving the insulation to help with cold floors and moisture in the home.
Upon inspection of the crawl space, we found that the existing vapor barrier was missing in some places, in others it was bunched up or torn. Nearly all the fiberglass insulation in the floor joists was draped down. Around the sill plate, we found staining on the walls, a sign of water seeping into the crawl space. Overall, it was clear that moisture was an issue in this crawl space and the insulation needed to be addressed.
Solution
Our team started crawl space repairs by removing all existing fiberglass, vapor barrier, and debris. Once the space was cleared out, a new heavy-duty vapor barrier was installed. The liner was wrapped around all piers and sealed, and run up the foundation walls above outside grade. Next, we started on air sealing and insulating the space. The vents are sealed, and the rim and band were air sealed and insulated with foam insulation. Then an R-10 of closed-cell foam insulation was applied to the foundation walls, leaving a termite viewing strip at the top of the wall. Finally, an interior insulated door was installed, and a dehumidifier was put into the crawl space.
With the new, heavier vapor barrier sealing the crawl space from the earth’s moisture, and the space air sealed and insulated, we can use the dehumidifier to control the relative humidity of the space. Keeping the relative humidity under 60% will help prevent any future mold growth in the crawl space. With the encapsulation system in place, the homeowner will notice less humidity inside the home.
